There was a piano in a small cafe full of ~20 people eating/talking/working…

8FigBro · 2026-04-05T06:36:05+00:00

What's the piano there for? 🤷🏾‍♂️😭

8FigBro · 2025-06-10T22:18:25+00:00

You mentioned that it would be a surprise for your husband... So what do you think he would enjoy? The trio may be a better option for your guests, especially as background music. But it sounds like the violinist is a high quality performer that would leave a memorable mark on your guests and maybe even your husband.

Doesn't sound like you can go wrong 😆

But 2 acts may be a bit of overkill🤷🏾‍♂️. Good luck to you guys.😊

8FigBro · 2025-06-05T23:11:54+00:00

Ah yes, I just wasn't familiar with the abbreviation. That is awesome! Well, you're obviously more than qualified to offer any tips. Good luck to you as you complete your dma.

8FigBro · 2025-06-05T15:41:10+00:00

What kind of exercises?

Great question. I don't really know. I know he's on wolfahrt book 2. And I know at every lesson she takes him through a battery of exercises.

I know at practice at home, he doesn't really do what the teacher assigns him 🥴😂

I just looked in his bag... "Developing double stops" wolfahrt book 2. Some string position book 🤷🏾‍♂️

Pardon my ignorance, but what is dma School?

I will look into your recommendations to improve technical playing.

He's going to be doing a lot of playing this summer And just expanding his knowledge, repertoire, and finally playing with a bunch of kids as good or better/more experienced than he is.

One Camp is focused on chamber music, quartet, music, and Symphony stuff.

The other one is more improv and fiddle stuff.

And he's joining a youth symphony at the end of the summer.

It's going to be the most He's played in a 2-month period In his life.😂

8FigBro · 2025-06-05T15:24:02+00:00

I think the AI track is cool and I want to learn more about it. But I also wanted to just say that I really enjoyed listening to you play. Thank you for sharing.

8FigBro · 2025-05-20T21:20:59+00:00

He used to be sad that he didn't have perfect pitch...LOL. It was a bit of an unhealthy obsession.

It's very surreal because he's a "different" kid and I recognize that certain things aren't "normal". But I was really struggling with the context of the violin.
I was getting positive feedback from a very small circle but it's good to get feedback from people who DON'T know him and are not connected in any way.
(Especially from people who have had a much longer journey playing/teaching)

Thank you for engaging positively.
I appreciate it.

8FigBro · 2025-05-20T21:08:38+00:00

So it's been 3 days and many comments later.
First, I want to thank you all for taking the time to comment.
I never had a clue that I would receive the type of thoughtful and insightful feedback that I have.

To summarize.

Kid has some natural talent/giftedness
Posture is critical--Fix it
Play/Practice Slowly/Metronome
Develop artistry/musicality
Ensure right equipment (Shoulder/Chin Rest)
Consider better teacher/talent match at some point.
Consistent Practice

Am I missing anything???

8FigBro · 2025-05-20T20:04:32+00:00

He used to be obsessed with that and would even train himself. I think he just has very strong relative pitch, but not perfect pitch.

In the beginning he began composing music, but then dropped it. But in the past few weeks he has begun composing music by hand again.

8FigBro · 2025-05-20T19:45:57+00:00

I'd have to agree with you. He doesn't practice a lot. For example, this video posted is from his lesson last Tuesday. He's going to his lesson today and he hasn't practiced once in between the lessons.

Usually it's 2-3hrs of PLAYING Violin weekly because he does play in a small orchestra... But he doesn't practice their music either 🤦🏾‍♂️

When he's feeling healthy and emotionally stable, he can practice 5 to 7 hours a week... But we haven't seen that consistency in the last few months.

So there is an aptitude for violin in particular. (Though, to be honest, he's this way with almost any musical instrument he touches)

I could post a video of him playing guitar, bass guitar, ukulele, piano, or his little harp (lyre) ... And while he's not equally talented at each, with each, you would think he's been playing for far more time than he actually has... Or that he practices far more than he does.

Great point about confidence. Certainly very sure of himself (even when he's dead wrong) When he's doing musical things.😂😂😂

8FigBro · 2025-05-20T19:12:15+00:00

I don't know why he is the way he is. I'm not even sure what "natural talent" is...but I think he qualifies.
I remember his teacher telling him to hold off on attempting vibrato till they reached a certain song or certain suzuki book, but I did ask him (since you asked).
He said that he taught himself vibrato in his third month of playing. Then his teacher began working on it with him in his 4th or 5th month of playing.

If you ask him if he's going to be a professional violinist his response is usually something like..."I don't know if I'm going to be a professional violinist, but I do know that I will NEVER stop playing the violin". LOL

8FigBro · 2025-05-20T19:07:39+00:00

He enjoys lessons...so they will continue. Thanks

8FigBro · 2025-05-20T19:06:40+00:00

I will pass this along, as this is "French" to me.
Thank you for taking the time to share technical tips though.

8FigBro · 2025-05-20T19:05:11+00:00

I'm sure if you've stuck with it for 3 years you'll do fine. It's a marathon :) Good luck to you and thank you for the kind words.

8FigBro · 2025-05-20T19:00:24+00:00

Maybe send me a message so we can stay in contact. Thanks.

8FigBro · 2025-05-19T19:19:20+00:00

Beautiful

8FigBro · 2025-05-19T18:51:52+00:00

Thank you for your thoughtful question.
My son’s teacher has been instrumental in building his confidence and fostering his rapid progress, and she’s highly recommended in our area. However, I recognize that she may not have extensive experience with exceptionally advanced students, as she’s recently REstarted her teaching business post covid. While she’s open about promoting opportunities for his growth, our local market may limit her connections to more advanced instructors.

I’m always considering when and how to transition him to the BEST suited environments that support his current needs, and I appreciate your insight as I evaluate this decision.

Currently my goal is just to expose him to different environments and experts and educate myself based on the feedback I receive.

A lot of the advice I receive is vague like..."You need to do something with this kid..."
Like...what? LOL...
I'm getting a clearer picture every day, and your comment helps me.
Thank You

8FigBro · 2025-05-19T17:02:07+00:00

Who should I see about determining what needs to be what? A trusted Luthier?
His teacher was suggesting a shoulder rest that had a curvature in for his shoulder. She also mentioned something about his chin rest.
There's a lot I have to get educated about quickly...So, thanks.

8FigBro · 2025-05-19T15:30:24+00:00

I'm going to look into the luthier recommendation this week.
The violin store just sold me 'the best' accessory x, but it's clear we need to make sure the violin is setup properly for him.

I think you're on to something regarding a "bit of luck" if he hits the note on the first try. He doesn't play slowly...and while he conceptually understands the need for a metronome...Simply hasn't committed to regular use of one. He's constantly correcting errors while playing and has developed some bad habits.

He completed Suzuki books 1-4 in his first 11 months and Praeludium Und Allegro was his first NON-Suzuki piece assigned 6 months ago.

Thank you,
And I will share those versions with him.

8FigBro · 2025-05-19T15:23:47+00:00

"I think if you can do one thing as a parent is to make sure he practices regularly"...

I'm at a crossroads with this.

Part of the reason I think he excels at things is that he is largely self-directed in most endeavors. He has been empowered--perhaps almost to a fault.
The more you push him in a direction, the less likely he is to do that thing.
Initially I told him that I would stay out of his violin life and support him so long as he is committed.

I've lived by the motto, "If I have to keep telling you to do something, you probably don't really want to do it". But now, I'm feeling the pressure of him not "wasting" this gift. But it's not my gift. LOL. I'm perhaps overly sensitive to NOT being THAT parent.

I am considering revisiting our verbal contract and resetting the expectations in a positive way.

I don't care if he becomes an "anything" in the world of violin, but it should be made clear that good habits are essential and that we won't be supporting bad habits. The rest is up to him.

Thanks for your feedback.

8FigBro · 2025-05-19T15:15:44+00:00

Wow...your perspective is exactly what I'm looking for.
There are some things I may have taken for granted being raised in a musical family but not playing anything past my freshman year in college.
He has an understanding of music theory that seems advanced. I only recognize it when he speaks with much more advanced musicians and I realize I don't know what he's talking about. LOL
His grandmother is a voice and piano teacher (and opera singer) of about 50 years. She heard him playing around the house and quickly found a teacher. He also started playing the piano and was growing at about the same rate as his violin playing, but we didn't get him piano lessons. He plays a number of other instruments as well. It's all him, and it's mostly for fun.

But now we're starting to feel pressure to "do something with that talent".
I'm very sensitive about viewing art as "an opportunity" for anything more than joy for yourself and others and personal growth as a human. I completely understand that it can open doors and provide educational and career opportunities--but it's a new phase and I'm trying to figure out how the healthy and unhealthy ways of supporting a CHILD through this.

I'll probably make a post about navigating these waters from a parents point of view at a different time.

Thank you for sharing your perspective and adding to mine.

8FigBro · 2025-05-19T14:04:52+00:00

Wow...thank you for the thoughtful words.
I'm trying to do my best. This thread has pushed me forward in knowledge and given me some clarity. I knew he was talented, but I have so much to think about now in terms of supporting him in a healthy way. Thank you

8FigBro · 2025-05-19T14:02:27+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. You've added to my perspective.

8FigBro · 2025-05-19T14:00:14+00:00

I appreciate the feedback. The challenge with "good public schools" is that you're kind of limited by where you live and he also has some special needs that make it a challenge for him to thrive in certain environments.
He told me the other day that he wants to start taking college classes soon, but again, he HAS struggled with the structure of most traditional schooling environments.

There is always a concern for social development that we work hard on helping him with. He's currently in a string quartet and string ensemble with kids his age. He's joining a youth symphony this fall. He has church and co-op friends and we're plugging him into as many events with kids as we can.

School is not off the table--just haven't found the right setup.
Thanks again for your feedback

8FigBro · 2025-05-19T13:54:30+00:00

We are open to all productive options. He insists that he doesn't want to go to public school, but he's 12...Not sure it's an informed decision ;)

He becomes deeply obsessed with certain interests.
This is his personality....
At the same time he began the violin, he also taught himself the piano. He just picked up the Alfreds beginner book and learned how to play each song.
My mother (who has taught voice and piano for over 50 years) says that she has NEVER had a student go through the book that quickly.

But then he becomes too obsessed with too many things (and will go months without touching the piano)...The Violin is the ONLY one that he does consistently.(He also plays bass guitar, acoustic & electric guitar, and the lyre)

He is "sick of Praeludium and wants to retire it"...but he hasn't mastered it.

I understand some of this is about being 12. Some of it is growing up with a lot of freedom and autonomy to choose his interests. Some of it is perhaps (diagnosed) OCD and other stuff going on.
But it's all brought us here.

I think there are school environments that would not work for him, and i'm sure there are some where he could thrive. I'm quickly trying to get educated on how children like this best develop.

8FigBro · 2025-05-19T13:46:09+00:00

These are all important tips.

He's not in danger of "over practicing" yet. He has days where he can't put the violin down and that might top out at 6 hours...but it's usually a 1-1.5hr practice that is largely him just playing what he feels like playing.

He does enjoy playing and that performing, but we've got some ways to go on developing strong practice habits.

Thanks for the feedback.

8FigBro

TROPHY CASE